Supporting Survivors: Resources and Legal Support in Atlantic Canada is a 1.5 hr panel discussion taking place on Tuesday, June 14th at 1pm (ADT). This virtual event brings together individuals and organizations to discuss the legal resources and supports for sexual violence in Atlantic Canada. Our panelists will discuss gaps in the justice system, challenges that survivors face, where more work is needed, and more. The goal of this event is to highlight resources that already exist in Atlantic Canada, and create a cross provincial conversation on the issue.

The Panelists:

Janet Lee (The Journey Project)

Janet Lee (she/her) has worked in community organizing, residential care, and alternative education programs for over fifteen years, focusing her efforts on supporting survivors of sexual violence in 2014 through her work with the NL Sexual Assault Crisis & Prevention Centre. Transitioning to her role as a Legal Support Navigator with the Journey Project in 2018 solidified her belief each individual is the expert in their own life and their own experiences. Janet is motivated every day by the strength and resiliency she sees in the people she works with and for. Janet has a diploma in Child and Youth Care from Eastern College, a B.A. in English from Memorial, and a BSW from the University of Manitoba. She loves the Atlantic Ocean, was raised around the bay, and currently resides in St. John’s with her supportive partner, his saucy cat, and her untrained dog.

Carrie Low (Survivors for Change & Empowerment)

Carrie Low is an accomplished and acclaimed advocate for survivor’s rights in the Criminal Justice System in Nova Scotia. In 2018, Carrie experienced a violent sexual assault which she immediately reported to the police. As a result of reporting this incident and experiencing many systemic failures, she quickly became a known advocate for systemic change. Carrie has now undertaken a mission to hold institutions accountable for failures against survivors and to improve conditions for the rights of future survivors.

In October 2020, Carrie founded Survivors for Change and Empowerment, which is a network for survivors of sexualized violence. A year later, in October 2021; Carrie’s story was featured in a CBC Podcast, written and produced by Maggie Rahr titled Uncover: Carrie Low Vs., which recently won an award in April 2022 at the American CrimeCon’s Clue Awards for best Podcast: Outstanding Docuseries: Most outstanding true crime podcast that focuses on one true crime case over the course of multiple episodes of full season.

In December 2021, she began Carrie Low Training and Consulting to offer trauma-informed training and consulting to professional justice institutions to ensure that survivors are treated appropriately and in hopes that access to meaningful justice for survivors can be achieved.

Sarah Dennis (RISE program)

Sarah Dennis manages the RISE program, which provides free legal support to people who have experienced various forms of gender-based violence. Sarah strives to make justice more accessible and promote trauma-informed service delivery. Previously, Sarah launched a youth-led project about consent, healthy relationships, and online behaviour. Resources developed through that project are now part of the junior-high health curriculum. Sarah envisions a future when all survivors are believed.

Megen Gaudet (Sexual Violence New Brunswick)

A Registered Social Worker, Megen joined Sexual Violence New Brunswick (SVNB) as a Collective member and volunteer supporting those impacted by sexual violence through their support line. During her tenure at SVNB, she has worked as an advocate for survivors in government and social systems, as well as the criminal justice system. Megen has recently transitioned into the role of Campus Sexual Assault Support Advocate, where she provides therapeutic support and advocacy for survivors on campus. Megen is passionate about reducing barriers to accessing services for survivors and is dedicated to on-going learning and working from a feminist and anti-oppressive framework

Action Now Atlantic is an initiative that has been generously funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE).